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2012 Chevrolet Traverse Pros and Cons at TrueDelta: Owner Pros and Cons by gkalb

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Reviewed: 2012 Chevrolet Traverse

4dr SUV 281-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Why the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?

Powertrain performance

Loads of power for a V6. VERY smooth when vehicle changes gears, almost un-noticable. No hesitation when engine accelerates. No clunking of gears when changing from park to drive, or from reverse to drive. Engine runs very quietly.

Exterior styling

Love the exterior styling. Everyone has their own preferences. The 18' wheels also help to give it a more rugged look. It doesn't look like mom's mini-van.

Interior styling

Interior is okay. Lots of leg room. Both front seats are heated and powered, which enables a more comfortable ride for that long haul. The middle row captain seats with arm rests are also very comfortable with loads of leg room. The third row, which seats three is nice for when the kids have some friends with us. We normally keep the third row folded down for extra cargo space. Cargo space is still quite large even with the third row seats up. Too many conveniences to list.

Handling

Handling is one of the top reasons I bought this Traverse. It literally hugs the road especially with the all-wheel drive. It has a very wide stance. The Traverse is actually 8 inches wider and 4 inches longer than our old mini-van. From day one the mini-van always seemed to rock from side to side while going through the corners. It is a heavy vehicle, but it feels like I'm driving a car.

Why Not the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?

Fuel economy

Fuel economy literally sucks!! I guess it's the price you pay for driving a big vehicle with all-wheel drive. I also own a new GMC 4x4 quad cab truck with a 6 liter engine. My truck gets better fuel economy than my 3.6 liter Traverse. Maybe I just got stuck with a lemon. I'm told that fuel economy is supposed to get better once the engine gets more km's on it. I doubt it will improve very much at all to notice any savings at the pump.

Rear seat room & comfort

Although the rear captain seats are quite comfortable, I do not like how they roll forward. There is a track in the floor in which the rear seats fold and slide up behind the front seats. All I notice when in the back seat is how extremely difficult it is to clean out the mud and grit and salt (I live in Canada, we use salt on our roads) that gets left behind in the track from passenger footwear.

Materials & workmanship

Just like my new GMC pick-up truck, the interior is again made of cheap plastic. GM should take a page out of what Ford and Chrysler have been doing lately. I still buy GM products because it's not all about the interior. It's about the ride,security and quality that I've always had with GM products.

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Response from ccm13

2:57 pm October 19, 2014

Only have had my 2012 Traverse for about two weeks, but overall I agree with your main points. Don't have AWD, but it handles way better then our old minivan none the less.

Inerior is meh, but that means the least to me as well.

Will post my own review after about 6 monthsor so of ownership.

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